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Fuzzy
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| Posted: Dec 06 2011 at 10:08am | IP Logged
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I am not sure I am in the right place, or if I should be posting this at all, but I am hoping you can help me with a situation that is bothering me.
What are the Church's teachings on food in relation to special kinds of diets? I understand that we are supposed to be kind to all God's creatures, but God gave us these animals to eat, or to use in our life. I find it hard to understand why you would not eat certain foods if you "don't know where they are coming from" or "worried about the mistreatment of the animals." Are there teachings from the Church on these kinds of issues?
I am not trying to offend anyone, just trying to find some answers.
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 Fuzzy
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JennGM
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I am presuming you are meaning something like vegan, avoiding eating any meat or meat by-products because of cruelty to animals?
Or do you mean refusing to eat something because of health reasons because it's not natural or organic? Industrialization of farming which is the majority of American food does have questionable practices and have been considered by some as unsafe and unhealthy. So if a person is refusing to eat foods that are sold in the meat section at the grocery story because of their unknown sources and production compared to a known source.
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:, PART THREE, LIFE IN CHRIST, SECTION TWO, THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, CHAPTER TWO "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF", ARTICLE 7, THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT
Quote:
Respect for the integrity of creation
2415 The seventh commandment enjoins respect for the integrity of creation. Animals, like plants and inanimate beings, are by nature destined for the common good of past, present, and future humanity.195 Use of the mineral, vegetable, and animal resources of the universe cannot be divorced from respect for moral imperatives. Man's dominion over inanimate and other living beings granted by the Creator is not absolute; it is limited by concern for the quality of life of his neighbor, including generations to come; it requires a religious respect for the integrity of creation.196
2416 Animals are God's creatures. He surrounds them with his providential care. By their mere existence they bless him and give him glory.197 Thus men owe them kindness. We should recall the gentleness with which saints like St. Francis of Assisi or St. Philip Neri treated animals.
2417 God entrusted animals to the stewardship of those whom he created in his own image.198 Hence it is legitimate to use animals for food and clothing. They may be domesticated to help man in his work and leisure. Medical and scientific experimentation on animals is a morally acceptable practice if it remains within reasonable limits and contributes to caring for or saving human lives.
2418 It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly. It is likewise unworthy to spend money on them that should as a priority go to the relief of human misery. One can love animals; one should not direct to them the affection due only to persons. |
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And these two summary statements:
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2456 The dominion granted by the Creator over the mineral, vegetable, and animal resources of the universe cannot be separated from respect for moral obligations, including those toward generations to come.
2457 Animals are entrusted to man's stewardship; he must show them kindness. They may be used to serve the just satisfaction of man's needs. |
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The Compendium has a little more explanation:
Quote:
506. What does the seventh commandment require?
2407
2450-2451
The seventh commandment requires respect for the goods of others through the practice of justice and charity, temperance and solidarity. In particular it requires respect for promises made and contracts agreed to, reparation for injustice committed and restitution of stolen goods, and respect for the integrity of creation by the prudent and moderate use of the mineral, vegetable, and animal resources of the universe with special attention to those species which are in danger of extinction.
507. What attitude should people have toward animals?
2416-2418
2457
People must treat animals with kindness as creatures of God and avoid both excessive love for them and an indiscriminate use of them especially by scientific experiments that go beyond reasonable limits and entail needless suffering for the animals. |
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According to this, man does have a right to eat and use animals for various needs of man. It's about stewardship, though, and man should not abuse the privilege...which does happen in both extremes. Animals do not have immortal souls, and so are not on the same plain as humans, but they should not be treated as an inanimate object, either.
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CrunchyMom
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My thinking is in line with Jenn's. The way I've often thought of it is something like "a cow is a cow, but as a good steward, I hope to see the cows I eat be a cow in the fullest way until it comes time for me to eat it." To me, this means it gets to enjoy sunshine, eat grass, walk on earth, and roam in a relatively clean (not stuck wallowing in its filth or that of other cows) environment.
To me, this also becomes a matter of "natural law" since animals treated humanely produce more healthful food for me and are less likely to transmit diseases to me. It seems a natural result of being a good steward and master.
If you speak with farmers, you will also learn that many animal activists ignorantly push for conditions in the name of helping the animals, which actually result in harm, dismissing the wisdom of centuries of farming practices. Imo, true stewardship in this area must be measured with prudence and cannot be a result of rash emotionalism, sentimentality, or personification of the animals.
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SusanMc
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Wow, this quote took me off guard:
Quote:
| 2418 It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly. It is likewise unworthy to spend money on them that should as a priority go to the relief of human misery. One can love animals; one should not direct to them the affection due only to persons. |
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I guess that would mean instead of giving to the ASPCA we should give to the local food bank instead. Something to ponder.
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CrunchyMom
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SusanMc wrote:
Wow, this quote took me off guard:
Quote:
| 2418 It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly. It is likewise unworthy to spend money on them that should as a priority go to the relief of human misery. One can love animals; one should not direct to them the affection due only to persons. |
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I guess that would mean instead of giving to the ASPCA we should give to the local food bank instead. Something to ponder. |
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Perhaps. Though the extreme of that resulting in complete disregard and justification for their suffering as long as it serves us (food is cheaper and therefore more accessible to poor people when animals are mistreated). I don't personally give money to the ASPCA, but were we to get a pet, we would likely look to a shelter first, which means that I am okay with such places existing--and they need money to do that. Does that make sense?
In my reading of the passage, I didn't think of places such as shelters as an excess but rather the amazing amount of money that is poured into the "pet" industry, including ENORMOUS amounts of money spent on veterinary services for individual animals (that in a shelter would simply be euthanized). It seems a matter of prioritizing and proper ordering rather than one of exclusion.
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Lindsay
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[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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JennGM
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| Posted: Dec 07 2011 at 8:43am | IP Logged
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CrunchyMom wrote:
| In my reading of the passage, I didn't think of places such as shelters as an excess but rather the amazing amount of money that is poured into the "pet" industry, including ENORMOUS amounts of money spent on veterinary services for individual animals (that in a shelter would simply be euthanized). It seems a matter of prioritizing and proper ordering rather than one of exclusion. |
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That's what came to my mind. I know of animals getting surgeries and medications that cost thousands and thousands of dollars, some of them dying soon after the surgery.. I've heard of animals dying and needing to be cremated so their family can honor them. Pet insurance is needed because costs are so high.
And just walk into one of those big box stores like PetCo or PetSmart. They are huge, and how much is frivolity and not necessary for the needs of the animal. Around Halloween there was a whole aisle for costumes for the pet.
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: What does the Church teach about this?
